Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government today said the water quality of Queens Hill Estate and Shan Lai Court, Fanling, meets the city’s drinking water standards, and the bitumen found in water samples taken from the two estates is not harmful to the human body.

The Water Supplies Department (WSD) and the Housing Department (HD) outlined their follow-up work on the incidents where sediments were found in the drinking water at Queens Hill Estate and Shan Lai Court.

A working group was set up immediately to check water supply pipes, clean water tanks, install filters, conduct daily testing on water samples continuously. Samples of sediments were also sent to the Government Laboratory for testing.

So far, all water samples have complied with the Hong Kong Drinking Water Standards, including the Rapid Toxicity Test (light emitting bacteria) and Carcinogenic Benzo(a) pyrene for testing carcinogens. All water samples tested negative for these two paramenters.

Furthermore, the WSD also conducted traceability work and passed 126 samples of materials collected from each block in the estates for the Government Laboratory’s testing on June 3. Preliminary test results indicated that most of the samples consist of bitumen mixed with resin.

The WSD explained that bitumen was commonly used as a protective coating to prevent rust inside steel water pipes around the world in earlier years. It is an inert material and is insoluble in water.

According to experts, bitumen will not release materials harmful to the human body after mixing with water. In other words, even if drinking water has come into contact with water pipes coated with bitumen, the relevant water quality will still comply with drinking water standards.

However, after prolonged use of water pipes, bitumen coating is prone to spalling, which is not durable and affects the clarity of drinking water and people’s perception. Hence, for water supply pipes laid after 2005, durable epoxy resin-coated steel pipes had been in use instead.

As to whether drinking water containing bitumen will affect health, the WSD commissioned an expert consultant in 2020 to conduct an experiment by boiling 10g of bitumen in three litres of hot water. The result confirmed that no toxic substances were released.

Currently, the sediments (bitumen) in the water samples taken from Queens Hill Estate are three-thousandth of the amount used in that experiment, on a per-litre basis, so citizens need not worry even if they have consumed drinking water with bitumen.

Records revealed that the relevant pipes in the two estates do not contain bitumen materials. Furthermore, the WSD installed screen filters outside the Queen’s Hill Estate in December 2022, which can block substances larger than 0.1mm in diameter.

Since then, the WSD has been conducting weekly inspections of the filters’ condition.

After receiving a report on the water quality incident on May 30, the WSD checked the filters again and confirmed they remained intact with no damage.

Given that the sediments found within the estate exceeded 0.1mm, along with the discovery of a section of steel water pipe upstream that was coated with bitumen on the inner wall, the WSD reckoned that the sediments are likely residual bitumen materials that flowed into the Queens Hill Estate pipes from the aforementioned steel pipe before December 2022. 

As for the resin material, its presence in the water is likely due to the flaking off of the protective layer from water valves.

In the meantime, the HD continues to install additional filtering facilities with a density that can block impurities with a diameter of 0.1mm or larger on the existing facilities in Queens Hill Estate and Shan Lai Court.

Apart from the additional nine filters that have been installed since the report of the incidents, 13 new filters were added today, seven at Queens Hill Estate and six at Shan Lai Court.

The WSD will continue to probe the incidents and submit an investigation report to the Drinking Water Safety Advisory Committee for review.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), the Urban Planning and Natural Resources Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality, and the Ocean Development Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality today (June 6) jointly organised the National Fish Releasing Day 2025 fish restocking exercise concurrently with other exercises nationwide, with an aim to restore and enhance aquatic resources as well as to raise public awareness of the conservation of aquatic resources and the need to improve aquatic habitats.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, the Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong, said, “Today is the National Fish Releasing Day designated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. Hence, fish restocking exercises are launched nationwide concurrently to restore and enhance aquatic resources. We are actively responding to this initiative and are conducting restocking exercises jointly with the Urban Planning and Natural Resources Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality and the Ocean Development Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality for the first time.”

Miss Wong added that the Blueprint for the Sustainable Development of Agriculture and Fisheries, released by the Government in collaboration with the agriculture and fisheries sectors in December 2023, proposed the implementation of restocking to restore and enhance fisheries resources, as well as to strengthen public education, arouse public awareness of the conservation of marine resources and environment, and enhance understanding of the significance of restocking.

After the launching ceremony, AFCD representatives and some guests proceeded to Tung Ping Chau Marine Park (TPCMP) and Hong Kong waters adjacent to Shenzhen in Mirs Bay, where they released some 23 500 juvenile fish of native species, including Hong Kong grouper (Epinephelus akaara), star snapper (Lutjanus stellatus), black seabream (Acanthopagrus schlegelii), and two newly added species this year, yellowfin seabream (Acanthopagrus latus) and red seabream (Pagrus major). The released juvenile fish are from reputable hatcheries and in good health, with their broodstock originating from Hong Kong or the nearby South China Sea. Restocking is a science-based approach of releasing appropriate species to their natural environment, allowing them to grow and reproduce. TPCMP, with its diverse habitats including artificial reefs, coral communities, natural rocky reefs and boulders, provides a favourable habitat for these juvenile fish. Commercial fishing has been banned in this marine park. The AFCD will conduct underwater surveys regularly to monitor the condition of the released fish and will continue to monitor the overall status of fishery resources in Hong Kong.

The fish restocking exercise, supported by the Hong Kong Buddhist Association, the Hong Kong Fishermen Consortium, Ocean Park Hong Kong and the Ocean Park Conservation Foundation Hong Kong, brought together about 150 students, representatives from religious groups, fishermen’s associations and green groups, etc. The AFCD will also arrange for the public and students to take part in other restocking exercises later this year, and strengthen collaboration with various groups to organise more educational activities for the public and schools, share information about restocking, as well as provide technical advice to groups interested in conducting restocking in local waters.

The AFCD reminds the public to think carefully before participating in animal release activities to avoid affecting the ecological environment or causing unnecessary suffering to animals. The public may consider participating in science-based restocking or other charitable activities as alternatives to animal releases.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

In an era where cybersecurity has become a core focus of global industrial development, the MIRDC once again demonstrates Taiwan’s innovation strength in information security. Its self-developed “Featureless-Secure Encryption System for IoT (FSESI)” has been honored with the Bronze Award at the 2025 Edison Awards for Innovation. The technology overcomes long-standing limitations of chaotic encryption, offering a revolutionary solution for secure data transmission across IoT and international digital infrastructure.

Chaotic encryption, known for its high randomness and theoretical unbreakability, has long been viewed as a promising approach to data security. However, its real-world application has been hindered by sensitive parameter dependencies, complex key management, high computational costs, and data length constraints. With FSESI, MIRDC has addressed these challenges by creating a next-generation encryption system featuring untraceable, high-entropy keys, a lightweight algorithm, and real-time synchronized encryption and decryption. This dramatically enhances both the practicality and security of chaotic encryption.

At the core of FSESI is the use of multiple dynamically selected chaotic systems to generate keys that closely approximate true randomness. A specially designed sliding synchronization algorithm enables the rapid convergence of encryption and decryption systems, instantly generating identical key streams on both ends without requiring key transmission. This eliminates one of the most vulnerable points in traditional encryption: the key exchange process.

Technically, FSESI also discretizes the continuous differential equations of chaotic systems and applies carefully selected parameters, reducing computational load by approximately 60%. This significantly lowers CPU/GPU resource consumption, enabling high-performance, low-power encryption protection. Meanwhile, encrypted data undergoes dynamic random topic transformation, making it completely unidentifiable during transmission and highly resistant to data interception and reverse engineering.

FSESI is particularly suitable for environments requiring secure, synchronized communication across multiple devices and domains-such as IoT systems, blockchain nodes, drones, intelligent transportation, and medical data transmission. The system has already passed real-world validation through field testing with metal product manufacturers and equipment suppliers. It has also been successfully licensed to automation service integrators, helping manufacturing sectors strengthen the cybersecurity of their operational technology (OT) systems.

More than just an evolution in encryption technology, FSESI represents a paradigm shift in cybersecurity-from identity-based defense to stealth-based protection. With its dynamic, featureless, and decentralized security architecture, FSESI offers robust defense against modern threats while preserving data privacy across digital ecosystems. Looking ahead, the system will continue expanding into global applications in manufacturing, healthcare, and smart cities, supporting industries in achieving higher levels of digital trust and security resilience.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

MIRDC has received a prestigious Silver Award for creative groundbreaking innovation has been honored with a Silver Award at an international innovation competition for its groundbreaking development-the “AI-Optimized Smart EDM Equipment”. This advanced pioneering system integrates artificial intelligence (AI) with AIoT cloud-based management, adaptable parameters control (APC)introducing self-adaptive parameter tuning and real-time compensation mechanisms. The result is a comprehensive upgrade of traditional electrical discharge machining (EDM), significantly enhancing both process efficiency and machining precision, and propelling high-end manufacturing into the era of smart production.

EDM is an essential process in industries such as aerospace, especially for machine high-precision, complex materials. Traditionally, EDM operations relied on the manual expertise of skilled technicians to fine-tune dozens of parameters, resulting in unstable quality, prolonged processing times, and limited scalability. The AI-Optimized Smart EDM Equipment leverages AI to automatically assess machining conditions and make real-time adjustments to critical parameters. This eliminates the instability and inefficiency of manual operation, introducing predictive capabilities and highly stable process control.

Equipped with microsecond-level data acquisition technology, AI-Optimized Smart EDM Equipment can capture over one million pulse signals per second. It analyzes seven key machining features in real time-such as spark frequency, peak current, and gap voltage-and applies AI models to assess machining quality and optimize parameters. This dramatically reduces finishing time from 12 hours to less than 4 hours, while increasing machining precision from the conventional 10 microns to under 5 microns-and in some cases, with some applications achieving sub-micron precision (0.5 micrometre)- a benchmark suitable for aerospace-grade components.

In addition to hardware innovation, the technology further integrates an AIoT cloud-based architecture that enables comprehensive process data traceability, remote monitoring, and anomaly detection. Users can access the cloud platform to monitor real-time equipment status and machining quality across global operations, allowing rapid response to supply chain disruptions. This enhances manufacturing flexibility and operational efficiency, aligning perfectly with the smart manufacturing demands of high-end industries such as aerospace, electric vehicles, and semiconductors.

The technology has received eight domestic and international patents and has been successfully implemented by over ten companies-including OSCARMAX and YAWJET-in applications ranging from high-end EV connector terminal molds and critical aerospace engine components. The system has not only improved manufacturing efficiency and product yield but also helped partner companies secure major international contracts, generating substantial commercial returns.

The “AI-Optimized Smart EDM Equipment” is more than a technological upgrade- it represents a paradigm shift in manufacturing. It symbolizes Taiwan’s shift from traditional contract manufacturing to a position of global leadership in innovation-driven smart manufacturing. Looking forward, this technology is set to expand into additional high-precision sectors such as space, new energy vehicles, and medical devices, continuing to fuel industrial innovation and strengthen Taiwan’s presence on the global stage.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Hemorrhagic stroke is a sudden and life-threatening condition caused by bleeding within the brain due to a ruptured blood vessel. Each minute is critical for patient survival. Conventional treatment methods, such as craniotomy, often involve large incisions and repeated X-ray imaging to confirm instrument position, which increases surgical risk, prolongs procedure time, and exposes both patients and medical staff to significant radiation.

MIRDC has earned international acclaim with its award-winning innovation, the 3D Magnetic Tracking-Guided ICH Surgical Navigation System (3D MAGVIS-NAV ICH System). By incorporating real-time magnetic tracking and visual assistance, the system significantly shortens decision-making time and greatly improves positional accuracy, showcasing Taiwan’s capabilities in advanced medical technology. Leveraging 3D magnetic-guided multifunctional endoscopy, it provides surgeons with a penetrating, GPS-like multidimensional view, enabling precise targeting of intracranial hemorrhage within confined spaces and substantially enhancing both the safety and success rate of stroke surgeries.

3D MAGVIS-NAV ICH System integrates ultra-precise magnetic sensors with a flexible multifunctional endoscope, allowing dynamic tracking of surgical instruments within the brain. When combined with real-time medical imaging, it creates a 3D stereoscopic navigation environment. This enables accurate, single-attempt access to the bleeding site while avoiding repeated punctures and the risk of secondary hemorrhaging. Moreover, it reduces intraoperative radiation exposure by up to 80%. Clinically, the system has shown remarkable outcomes-reducing surgical mortality from 25% to 5% and significantly lowering postoperative rebleeding rates.

Designed with a modular architecture, the 3D MAGVIS-NAV ICH System is built into a compact medical cart, making it easily deployable across healthcare institutions. It is especially suited for use in remote or resource-limited regions for urgent and critical care, reinforcing Taiwan’s global impact in the domains of smart healthcare and medical equity.

Currently, MIRDC has strategically integrated the system with ClearMind Biomedical Inc. and is working with the Department of Neurosurgery at Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital to offer safer and more effective clinical options. Moving forward, MIRDC will continue collaborating with medical device manufacturers and academic institutions to expand the system’s applications. With support for flexible endoscopy and puncture procedures, the platform can be extended to meet the precise navigation needs of the cardiac catheter positioning, lungs, liver, kidneys, breasts, bladder, sinuses, oral swallowing function and speech activity measurements and more-broadening its clinical value and medical impact.

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

To overcome the welder shortage in large-scale steel constructing, the Metal Industries Research & Development Centre (MIRDC) has developed a groundbreaking innovation-the Compact and High-Performance Welding Cobot (CHPW), which has received the prestigious Silver Edison Award. This advanced robotic system acts like a welder’s “intelligent eyes,” equipped with real-time 3D laser scanning and AI-powered weld defect recognition to accurately capture and analyze the weld seam morphology. This enhance welding quality and bring digital transform large-scale welding industry, significantly reducing waste for rework time and labor cost, in advance to minimize human intervention.

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government will introduce on August 1 an International Organization for Standardization (IOS) standard microchip that contains the specific code of Hong Kong for identifying dogs.

The IOS microchip will also serve as evidence that the dog has been vaccinated against rabies.

The Environment & Ecology Bureau said the Government will introduce an ISO microchip containing the city’s specific code, in addition to the existing AVID microchip.

Dogs in Hong Kong already implanted with the AVID microchip and dogs legally imported and implanted with the ISO microchip, do not need to additionally implant the ISO microchip containing the Hong Kong specific code.

As ISO microchip is commonly used in many countries and places, the new measure will further facilitate the movement of dogs into and out of Hong Kong while ensuring the source of the microchip could be traced.

Two notices about the introduction of the IOS microchip and the exemption measures respectively, were published in the Gazette today.

The Government has consulted the Legislative Council Panel on Food Safety & Environmental Hygiene and stakeholders regarding the notices, and obtained general support for the new measures.

The Rabies Regulation (Amendment of Schedule 3) Notice 2025 and the Rabies (Transponders on Imported Dogs) (Exemption) Notice will be tabled before LegCo on June 11 for negative vetting, and will enter into force on August 1.